Quantitation of hepatitis delta virus using a single-step internally controlled real-time RT-qPCR and a full-length genomic RNA calibration standard

► A real-time RT-qPCR for quantitation of hepatitis D virus (HDV) has been developed. ► The novel calibration standard is full-length genomic HDV RNA transcribed in vitro. ► Brome Mosaic virus is used as an internal control to avoid false-negative results. ► 95% detection limit is 3800 copies/ml; 700 copies/ml are detectable in 20% of repeats. ► Assay designed to detect all eight genotypes and is suitable for therapeutic monitoring.